March 2010 Under Construction - 1968 Dodge Charger, 1990 Miata, and 1969 Chevolet Camaro

'68 Charger
Radical Roadster
Frances Wisniewski and Joshua Fishkin are longtime car collectors who have purchased dozens of finished cars. There was one car, however, that they couldn't find out on the market. They wanted a two-seater Dodge Charger roadster. Because this combination doesn't occur naturally, they had to find someone to build it. They came to Brent Jarvis of Performance Restorations in Mundelein, Illinois, to perform the huge list of modifications to their '68 Dodge Charger. Brent wanted to take the car to unseen levels, so he worked with automotive artist Murray Pfaff on the design. The charger never came as a convertible, let alone a roadster, but that doesn't mean it can't be done.

The concept is simple. Build a car that never was: a '68 Charger roadster, then do a radical custom job on the body and spray it with candy paint. The drivetrain parts would all be replaced with their modern counterparts. The most important part of the build was to have it drive and perform as good as it looks.

These guys are really passionate about their extensively modified muscle cars, especially Pro Touring convertibles and now roadsters. They are very much into driving their cars. With all the cars and equipment in their collection, two things they don't have are a truck and a trailer. That means no trailer queens, and this Charger will be no different.

Dale is a junior at McPherson College in Kansas, and he's deep into their well-known automotive program. He's building the car on a college student's budget, and realizing what is realistic for him to build and what is slightly out of his budgetary reach. So far he's got the big items covered, and the car will truly be a performer. The things still up for determination are the aesthetics and the finishing touches that always seem to add up financially. Dale wants to keep the original white paint and primer blotches as-is to give it a sleeper look. But that might change if he finds he can afford to paint it.

The cleanup process further inspired Rodger to dig deeper, and rebuild the car to how he envisioned it. He labored on the car for two full years, filling every moment of his spare time. He knew by the end of his term that his future was in the classic car industry. After graduation, the car hit the paint booth and once it emerged from those doors, he drove the car every chance he got for the next 23 years.

He started with Speed Tech's "Track Time" package that includes a new front subframe, torque arm rear suspension, and all the goodies between the two to make the car handle. The car is going to be better than ever, but still the same.

Got a car you want the world to see?
Send specs and pix to john.hunkins@sorc.com